Saeed is accused of unduly using his influence as chief justice to overthrow the government by putting national security and public safety at risk. He is also accused of accepting bribes to issue the February 1 Supreme Court order for the release of nine political prisoners.

Defence attorneys argued the charge cannot be pressed under the anti-terror law as he is accused of attempting to topple the government.

Lawyer Noorusalam Abubakuru said the charge must be pressed under clause 610 of the penal code, which labels coups as an offence.

Assistant prosecutor general Aishath Fazna said Saeed was charged for accepting bribes to issue the order by threatening national security.

Lawyer Hisaan Hussain said Saeed was also on trial for bribery and asked if that part of the charge sheet would become invalid if he was found not guilty of bribery.

A Supreme Court from February 1 order violated legal principles, the state prosecutor said, prompting defence attorneys to ask about the remaining three justices at the top court.

Noorusalam said the ruling, ordering the release of President Abdulla Yameen’s opponents, was unanimously issued by the five-member bench of the Supreme Court but that only two were on trial.

A lawyer, who wished to remain anonymous, previously told the Maldives Independent that “the ongoing politically motivated trials” of the justices and key politicians “prove the recklessness of court procedures.”

“It is alarming that a judge does not know what is happening in a trial he is presiding over,” said the lawyer.

He claimed that such irregularities and questionable decisions are a “result of fast-tracking trials without regard to the laws and regulations.”